Adventures in Lewis and Clark Country and Beyond

In the far corner of the Pacific Northwest, our Columbia River small-ship expedition cruises in Washington and Oregon transit remarkable diversity: From lush farmlands to dense forests, stark desertscapes to historic river routes – perfect for exploring by small ship, kayak and Zodiac. And all along the way of the adventure cruise, like a welcome and personal soundtrack, we have the company of our expert Naturalists and Historians – to explain and animate the life of this region for us.

Relive a vital chapter in our nation’s history on “In the Wake of Lewis & Clark,” an adventure travel cruise along the Columbia River that takes you through a landscape that looks much as it did when they saw it two centuries ago. Stand on deck as the ship is elevated more than 700 feet through a series of eight navigation locks, a marvel of modern engineering. Navigate the mighty Columbia River on this adventure cruise and explore the pristine reaches of the Snake and Palouse Rivers, pushing deeper upriver until we hit the Washington-Idaho border.Read more

Why we love it here: The mighty sweep and grandeur of the big Pacific Northwest waterways. The grand traditions and rich art forms of the Pacific Northwest tribes. The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of some of history's greatest explorers.

Why you might want to visit the Pacific Northwest: In addition to the cultural aspects you’ll encounter, a vacation to the Pacific Northwest gives you the rare opportunity to see how this country probably looked in its earliest days.

Why go with us: Our smaller, comfortable expedition cruise ships are designed for exploring historic waterways like the Columbia River. And the ease in which we can deploy a fleet of sturdy kayaks, head out in Zodiacs and make shore landings enables you to experience the Pacific Northwest in the most immersive way possible. The size and maneuverability of National Geographic Sea Lion & National Geographic Sea Bird enable you to travel from the mouth of the Columbia all the way inland to Idaho, more than 450 miles upstream — a voyage impossible for big cruise ships.